Intraoperative estimation of intraocular lens power

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, including surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/499,079, filed on Jul. 7, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,988,291 which application is a divisional application of and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/820,635, filed on Apr. 8, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,378. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/461,429, filed on Apr. 10, 2003. The disclosures of the prior applications are considered part of (and are incorporated by reference in) the disclosure of this application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for selecting the power of an intraocular lens to be implanted into an eye.

BACKGROUND

The history of intraocular lens implantation dates back to 1949 when an initial attempt to replace a diseased lens with an artificial one resulted in a poor outcome with an error of −24.0 diopter (D). Nevertheless, this set the stage for continuous advances in the field of opthalmology, leading to the common practice of “standard-of-care” lens implantation we see today. The technology of cataract surgery has witnessed an impressive development through constant innovation of surgical technique and instrumentation, lens material and design, and just as importantly, ever improving methodology for calculating and predicting the power of the lens implant necessary to achieve desired postoperative refractive outcome. In the 1960s Fyodorov was the first scientist to publish a formula for predicting the power of the intraocular lenses (IOLs) based on geometrical optics incorporating two very important preoperative anatomical parameters of the ocular system. A-scan derived axial length of the eye and keratometry measurements of the cornea, Feodorov S N, Kolinko A L. Estimation of optical power of the intraocular lens. Vestn. Oftamol; 80(4):27-31 (1967). Colenbrander published the first formula written in English in 1973. Colenbrander, Calculation of the Power of an Iris-Clip Lens for Distance Vision, Br. J. Ophthal. 57:735-40 (1973). Many further improvements followed these pioneering efforts. Binkhorst described a derivative formula in the 1970s. Binkhorst R D., The optical design of intraocular lens implants. Ophthalmic Surg 1975; 6(3):17-31. Binkhorst, Power of the Pre-Pupillary Pseudoshakos, B. J. O. 56:332-37, (1972)). Modifications of the Colenbrander formula were implemented by Dr. Hoffer with further improvement of accuracy across the different axial length ranges. Hoffer K J. Mathematics and computers in intraocular lens calculation. Am Intra-Ocular Implant Soc J 1975; 1(1):4-5). In 1980, Sanders, Retzlaff and Kraff derived a regression formula which has sustained many subsequent updates and modifications. Further refinements were achieved with the second generation formulas which had better precision over a wider range of anatomic parameters, but all used axial length and corneal curvature (keratometry) as the main predictive variable in their models. Sanders, J. Retzlaff & M. C. Kraff, Comparison of the SRK II Formula and the Other Second Generation Formulas, J. Cataract & Refractive Surg. 14(3):136-41 (1988). Olsen, T., Theoretical Approach to IOL Calculation Using Gaussian Optics, J. Cataract & Refractive Surg. 13:141-45 (1987). Holladay, T. C. Praeger, T. Y. Chandler & K. H. Musgrove, A Three-Party System for Refining Intraocular Lens Power Calculations, J. Cataract & Refractive Surg. 14:17-24 (1988). J. T. Thompson, A. E. Maumenee & C. C. Baker, A New Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Formula for Axial Myopes, Ophthal. 91:484-88 (1984). Various improvements in making preoperative anatomic-based estimates of IOL power have been described in the patent literature (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,751, 5,968,095, and 5,282,852).

The shortcomings of current technology are multifold. Even in the ideal and most simplified clinical setting, about 10-20% of patients remain with at least 1.0 diopter refractive error after surgery. In about 3-5% of cases this residual can be as high as 2 diopters. Also, traditional IOL estimation techniques based on axial length and corneal curvature produce even greater inaccuracy when the cataract surgery is done after vision correcting refractive surgery (e.g., Lasik, Lasek, wavefront and other similar corrective procedures). In this setting, a larger residual error can result (e.g., more than about 80% of such cases have about 1-1.5 diopter error). Reliance on anatomic measurements is even more problematic for a patient whose eye shape is at the extreme end of the range of an anatomic parameter.

Autoretinoscopy has been traditionally used for determination of the optical state of the ocular system in an office visit. In this office setting, autoretinoscopy is used as an objective measurement to guide the subjective testing and estimation of the power for corrective eye glass prescription. In this setting, an autorefractor based on the principle of automated retinoscopy, is used with the eye in the phakic state (i.e., with the native lens in its native position). A number of widely available autoretinoscopes are employed with the patient in a sitting position in front of the apparatus.

In recent years, very significant advances have been made in IOL surgical techniques and instrumentation (e.g., microincision techniques for quick and controlled cataract surgery), but IOL power has continued to be estimated preoperatively using anatomic measurements.

SUMMARY

The problems associated with current methods for IOL power estimation lie in the reliance on preoperative measurements, e.g., corneal curvature and axial length. These parameters can change significantly after the eye has been manipulated. For example, the curvature of the cornea and its optical properties change after incisions and intraocular procedures. Current models extrapolate the effective lens position of the implant through lens-associated constants, such as the A-constant, which are inherent to the specific lens design, but not to the particular anatomy of each eye, and therefore not individually customized to each surgical case. The current methods, because they only approximate the optical deficiency of the eye after lens extraction, lead to residual errors in lens power.

In a first aspect, the invention features a method for selecting the power of an intraocular lens, comprising extracting the native lens, performing autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and determining the power of the intraocular lens from the one or more aphakic refraction measurements.

Preferred implementations of this aspect of the invention may incorporate one or more of the following. The autorefraction may be performed with the patient in the same position in which the native lens was extracted. The position of the patient may be the supine position. The method may be used for patients that have previously undergone vision correcting refractive surgery. Determining the power of the intraocular lens may comprise using a predictive model that is an empirically derived relationship between the autorefraction measurements and the power of the intraocular lens. Determining the power of the intraocular lens may comprise using a predictive model that is a theoretically derived relationship between the autorefraction measurements and the power of the intraocular lens. The native lens may be extracted using a surgical microscope and the autorefraction may be performed using an autorefraction device configured to be moved into place for making autorefraction measurements following extraction of the native lens using the surgical microscope. The autorefraction may comprise making a plurality of autorefraction measurements and averaging the measurements. Determining the power of the intraocular lens may comprise determining the power from the one or more autorefractive measurements and from other parameters. The other parameters may include preoperative anatomic measurements of the eye. They may also include one or more of the following: intraocular pressure, intraoperative axial length, intraoperative keratometry, preoperative keratometry, preoperative axial length, intraoperative anterior chamber depth, or preoperative anterior chamber depth.

In a second aspect, the invention features apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, comprising surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.

Preferred implementations of this aspect of the invention may incorporate one or more of the following. The apparatus may further comprise a display for providing the user of the apparatus with the information regarding the power of the intraocular lens. The autorefraction device may be attached to or integrated with the surgical apparatus. The surgical apparatus may be a surgical microscope and the autorefraction device may comprise an autorefraction device configured to be moved into place for making refraction measurements following extraction of the native lens using the surgical microscope. The autorefraction device may be a portable autorefraction device that is used while a patient is in the supine position following surgical extraction of the lens. The autorefraction device may comprise a retinoscope. The autorefraction device may comprise a wavefront-based autorefraction device. The autorefraction device may comprise apparatus for measuring the aphakic dioptric state, the deficiency of the ocular system, or both the aphakic dioptric state and the deficiency of the ocular system. The autorefraction device may comprise or work in combination with an external lens, contact lens, intraocular lens, or other component with refractive or medium properties positioned along the optical axis along an autorefraction measurement trajectory. The surgical apparatus may comprise a surgical microscope that includes an ocular piece or display for centration and positioning and a toggle for XYZ movement, and wherein the autorefraction device may be positioned and configured so that movement of the toggle can adjust the position of the autorefraction device relative to the eye.

Among the many advantages of the invention (some of which may be achieved only in some of its various aspects and implementations) are the following: Greater precision is possible in estimating required IOL power, and thus there is less residual refractive error. It is possible to achieve reductions in the complexity and cost associated with IOL implantation surgery (e.g., it may be possible to eliminate the need for expensive equipment such as an A-scan biometry device and a keratometer, as well as the need for a separate pre-operative patient visit at which pre-operative eye measurements are made). The invention makes it possible to break away from the conventional preoperative anatomical approaches derived from Feodorov's original work in 1967. New refractive measurement technology can be used to predict the power of the intraocular lens. Anatomic parameters such as preoperative axial length and keratometry are no longer essential to the process of estimating the power of the intraocular lens (but these parameters, as well as others, may, in some implementations, be used in combination with the intraoperative autorefraction measurements). Relying on intraoperative measurement of the aphakic refractive state of the eye after lens extraction has the advantage that it measures the optical deficiency of the ocular system without the confounding interference of the native lens. Modern retinoscopy technology can be adapted to cataract surgery immediately after extraction of the cataract, when the eye is transiently aphakic; in this state, the cornea is the primary refractive medium and the optical system of the eye is in a unique state of non-interference by the lenticular optical component. When an autorefraction or other form of retinoscopy is done before a lens is implanted, the measurements are primed to correlate closely with the missing intraocular lens power. From these measurements the surgeon one can derive, correlate and calculate the parameters of the lens to be inserted. The method can be used solely for the purposes described or in combination with other ocular measurements and parameters obtained prior or during surgery to optimize accuracy and precision.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be found in the detailed description, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is flow chart of steps in one implementation of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of apparatus implementing the invention in pone possible manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There are a great many possible implementations of the invention, too many to describe herein. Some possible implementations that are presently preferred are described below. It cannot be emphasized too strongly, however, that these are descriptions of implementations of the invention, and not descriptions of the invention, which is not limited to the detailed implementations described in this section but is described in broader terms in the claims.

FIG. 1 shows the process followed in one implementation of the invention. Any surgical technique for lens extraction may be used, including such conventional techniques as phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction. After the lens is extracted from the eye and all particulate lens material is removed, the anterior chamber is maintained formed with intraocular fluid or viscoelastic. The eye is then centered and an autorefracting device is used to obtain a refractive reading of the aphakic eye (i.e., the eye with the lens removed). While any autorefractor can be used across a wide range of possible vertex distances, one possible implementation is to use an autorefractor with a vertex distance of 13.75 mm, and to take an average of multiple autorefraction measurements. Autorefraction provides a spherical and a cylindrical power measurement.

The power of the intraocular lens can be derived from the refraction measurements. One possible method for deriving the intraocular lens power is to use an empirically derived relationship, which could be called a predictive IOL model, that relates the refraction measurements to the IOL power. This can be done, for example, by first calculating the aphakic spherical equivalent of the refraction measurements from the standard formula: Spherical Equiv=Measured Spherical Power+½ Measured Cylindrical Power, wherein Spherical Equiv is the aphakic spherical equivalent, Measured Spherical Power is the average of the spherical power measurements made using autorefraction, and Measured Cylindrical Power is the average of the cylindrical power measurements made using autorefraction. Next, the following empirically derived relationship may be used to relate the aphakic spherical equivalent to the IOL power: IOL Power=A+c+b*(Spherical Equiv), wherein A is the lens specific constant (and depends on the type of intraocular lens being implanted), c is an empirically derived constant, and b is the empirically derived linear correlation coefficient.

The two empirically derived coefficients c, b may be derived using a statistical regression analysis of data relating IOL power to autorefraction measurement of the spherical equivalent. For example, the regression analysis may be performed on data collected from a large population of patients (e.g., one hundred patients). For each patient, the data comprise the IOL Power selected using conventional preoperative measurements and the spherical equivalent from an intraoperative autorefraction.

Other relationships between the refraction measurements and the IOL power may also be used, and the necessary constants and coefficients derived either empirically or theoretically. One alternative, of course, is to simply combine the two formulas as follows: IOL Power=A+c+b*(Measured Spherical Power+½ Measured Cylindrical Power), Varying the vertex distance of autorefraction or modifying the optical media along the optical path (e.g., by inserting a different material into the anterior chamber of the eye, or by placing a temporary lens in or near the eye) can alter the parametric variables of the relationship.

In some implementations, the above formulation can be improved with additional variables to achieve better precision. Parameters such as intraocular pressure, intraoperative axial length, intraoperative keratometry, preoperative keratometry, preoperative axial length, intra and preoperative anterior chamber depth can be used as supplementary correlates in the predictive model, in order to refine the IOL power. For example, the following relationship could be used: IOL Power=A+c+b*(Spherical Equiv)+d*(Axial Length)+f*(Average Keratometry)+g*(Intraoperative Pressure)

In one implementation, both the surgery and the autorefraction are performed using standard available equipment. A standard surgical microscope is used for extraction of the native lens, and a standard portable autorefraction device (e.g., a Nikon Retinomax) is used for autorefraction. Both procedures may be performed while the patient remains in the same supine position. The refraction measurements are read from the autorefraction device, and the IOL power is calculated using a formula such as one of those given above.

FIG. 2 shows another possible implementation in which specially designed equipment is used. An autorefraction retinoscope unit 10 is attached to the exterior of an ophthalmic surgical microscope 12. The surgical microscope in this implementation has its own display for centration and visualization. A toggle control 13 (and/or a pedal control) is provided for XYZ centration of the microscope and the retinoscope unit. The microscope has the usual lens array 15. The autorefraction unit can be a conventional automated retinoscopic apparatus of the type conventionally used to measure the dioptric deficiency and optical state of the phakic eye. The retinoscopic apparatus would be configured to operate with the patient in the supine position, intraoperatively, and to be moved out of the way of the microscopic surgical device when not in use, but configured so that its position and orientation is adjustable using the toggle control 13. A display unit 14 is integrated with the autorefraction unit 10 and also attached to the surgical microscope 12. The display unit presents the results of the IOL power determination. A processing unit 16 is electrically connected to the autorefraction unit and the display. Cables 18 make the electrical connections between the autorefraction unit 10, display unit 14, and processing unit 16. The processing unit receives measurement data from the autorefraction unit, and uses a predictive model (e.g., one of those described by the above formulas) to calculate the IOL power for display on the display unit.

An alternative to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 would be to have the autorefraction unit, display unit, and processing unit fully integrated into the ophthalmic surgical microscope. For example, the same display unit can serve both for centration and visualization during surgery and for controlling and displaying results from the autorefraction unit and processing unit during IOL power determination.

The equipment of FIG. 2 or alternative implementations may be used to perform the eye surgery, to make the intraoperative refraction measurement, and to calculate the IOL power for achieving the desired emmetropia or postoperative refraction.

Many other implementations of the invention other than those described above are within the invention, which is defined by the following claims. For example, as earlier noted, completely separate surgical and autorefraction equipment may be used (e.g., with the microscope moved away, and the autorefraction equipment moved into place), and the IOL measurement may be calculated from the refraction measurements without using a special processor or display unit. Autorefraction may also be used after the intraocular lens is implanted (pseudophakic eye), to confirm whether a satisfactory choice has been made for the IOL power. If the autorefraction shows a residual error, the surgeon could immediately remove the implanted lens, and substitute another. Various types of autorefraction may be used to make the intraoperative refraction measurement of the aphakic eye. 

1. A method for replacing a natural lens of an eye, comprising: removing the natural lens from the eye while the eye is in a surgical position; measuring optical properties of the eye, using an instrument that is integrated with a surgical microscope, while the eye remains in the surgical position; using the measured optical properties to determine the power of an artificial lens; and inserting the artificial lens into the eye while the eye remains in the surgical position.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein measuring optical properties of the eye comprises measuring optical properties of the aphakic eye.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising measuring optical properties of the eye after the artificial lens has been inserted into the eye, while the eye remains in the surgical position, to determine whether the artificial lens is satisfactory.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein determining whether the artificial lens is satisfactory comprises determining whether a satisfactory choice has been made for the power of the artificial lens.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein determining whether the artificial lens is satisfactory comprises determining whether there remains an optical deficiency in the eye.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the optical deficiency in the eye comprises one or more of the power, position, and orientation of the artificial lens.
 7. The method of claim 3 further comprising, if the artificial lens is not satisfactory, removing the artificial lens and substituting another artificial lens of a different power.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein measuring optical properties comprises autorefraction.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein measuring optical properties is performed by autoretinoscopy.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein measuring optical properties is performed using a wavefront-based device.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein wavefront measurements of the eye are made of the aphakic eye to determine refractive error.
 12. A method for replacing a natural lens of an eye during surgery on a patient, comprising: removing the natural lens from the eye; measuring optical properties of the eye, using an instrument that is attached to a surgical microscope, after the natural lens has been removed; using the measured optical properties to determine the power of an artificial lens; and inserting the artificial lens into the eye.
 13. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein the power of the artificial lens is based on the measured optical properties and on measurements made before the natural lens is removed.
 14. The method of claim 1 or 12 wherein the power of the artificial lens comprises one or both of a spherical power and a cylindrical power.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein wavefront measurements of the eye are made after lens implantation to determine residual intraoperative refractive error.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein measuring optical properties of the eye comprises measuring optical properties of the aphakic eye.
 17. The method of claim 12 further comprising measuring optical properties of the eye after the artificial lens has been inserted into the eye to determine whether the artificial lens is satisfactory.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein determining whether the artificial lens is satisfactory comprises determining whether a satisfactory choice has been made for the power of the artificial lens.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein determining whether the artificial lens is satisfactory comprises determining whether there remains an optical deficiency in the eye.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the optical deficiency in the eye comprises one or more of the power, position, and orientation of the artificial lens.
 21. The method of claim 17 further comprising, if the artificial lens is not satisfactory, removing the artificial lens and substituting another artificial lens of a different power.
 22. The method of claim 12 wherein measuring optical properties comprises autorefraction.
 23. The method of claim 12 wherein measuring optical properties is performed by autoretinoscopy.
 24. The method of claim 12 wherein measuring optical properties is performed using a wavefront-based device.
 25. The method of claim 12 wherein wavefront measurements of the eye are made of the aphakic eye to determine refractive error. 